PCSO replaces ambulance swept away by flood in Lanao town

President Rodrigo Duterte directed the chairman and general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to immediately replace the only ambulance of Kapatagan town in Lanao del Norte after it was swept away by raging flood while on a rescue mission during the height of typhoon “Vinta”.

“During his (President) recent visit to our province I approached him and requested if he could give us an ambulance because our ambulance was gone after it was carried away and destroyed by strong current while it was on a rescue mission. The President immediately instructed Sir Bong Go to call PCSO,” Kapatagan Mayor Barry Baguio said in an interview.

On Friday, Baguio went to PCSO to sign documents for the turnover of a brand new ambulance from chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz and general manager Alexander Balutan.

“I immediately called the mayor (Baguio) to assure him of an ambulance donation and prepare the necessary documents,” Balutan said.

Baguio said at least 11 barangays in his municipality were severely affected by floods that caused the evacuation of 1,343 families, or 5,243 persons.

“Through the mercy of God we have zero casualty and I’m thankful first to our President for his immediate assistance to our request for an ambulance and also to PCSO under the ladership of chairman Corpuz and general manager Alexander Balutan,” Baguio said.

The damages to agriculture and infrastructure were close to P500 million. Kapatagan is a first-class municipality.

“This ambulance from President Duterte and the PCSO came just in time because ther’s a new storm coming. We have a vehicle we can use to rescue people in time of calamity,” Baguio said.

From January to December 2017, PCSO has distributed a total 216 ambulances worth P168,000,000 to different local government units and government and private institutions as part of the agency’s programs.

Balutan said 88 ambulances worth P69.1 million were distributed in Luzon; 54 worth P42.9 million in Visayas; and 74 worth P56.2 million in Mindanao.

Mayor Baguio (right) briefs PCSO Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz (center) and PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan (left) on the severe effects of typhoon Vinta on his constituents.